How to Insulate Grow Tent? 

Know that plants grow well in sunny and warm places. So if you are planning on growing these plants indoors then you need to stimulate the same steamy and warm temperature zone right in the space you are growing your plants. After all, you won’t get the buds you need in an inadequate environment. 

But there are ways you will be able to stimulate the same warm environment in your growing tent as well. Know that you will be able to do this by simply investing in great insulation. Keep in mind that great growing space for your plants means superior year-round production as well. 

Not to mention that having a greatly insulated growing space means that you will be reducing energy bills, grow your lights’ intensity, as well as keep your nosy neighbours away from your plants. So if you want to know-how will be able to properly insulate your plants, then read on below. But first, you need to know about the right temperatures to keep track of if you are artificially insulating. 

What are the temperatures to keep track of in your grow tent? 

Most plants grow in proper temperate regions so if you want to grow them indoors then you need to provide sunshine, humidity, and warmth. However, the most common question is- what is the temperature needed to grow them? Then note that plant growers tend to opt for setting their daytime temperatures at 70 to 85°C. 

This temperature range is chosen because vegetative plants need higher temperatures while they are flowering. For the nighttime temperature, the grower aims for the 60+ temperatures but keep it in the low 70s to get optimal results. Note that there are strains that can handle a cold night, but even then, don’t let the temperature go below 20°C. 

Along with the temperature, you also need to maintain humidity. So you need to keep the environment at a humidity rate of 60 to 70%. But if your plant is at the flowering parts, then set the humidity between 45 to 55% so that they grow well. If you are dealing with clones the humidity, then needs to be at about 80 to 90% of the beginning developmental stages. 

You do need to keep in mind that different strains have different climate needs. So you need to research thoroughly. The above-given ranges are just estimates. 

How can you insulate your growing tent better? 

So once you have researched into your plant and know about its specific requirements, you need to learn how to insulate the growing tent. As such, we are here to give you some ways you will be able to insulate your tent: 

1. Use a snug and cosy grow tent

Grow tents are being used a lot nowadays and they are continuously evolving too. After all, as tent culture gets adopted by more people, growers are creating innovative designs so that their plants can be toasty and warm. But you need to know that grow tents have a lot more function than just keeping your plants nicely insulated. 

Most of the professional tents come with vents so that air can get easily recirculated. This helps with proper ventilation as well as lowers the room temperature. But this is just one example of a model that’s very commonly found. There are many other tent models with different advantages. 

For example, there are tent models that have Mylar coatings for improving light coverage as well as intensity. Know that there are also grow tents that come with a great thread count so that light can’t escape. A very common issue which growers have to grapple with is space. But that’s not a cause for worry nowadays. After all, there are plenty of plants nowadays that can grow in small spaces. 

2. Invest in spray foam

Spray foam (polyurethane) is a great insulation material. It expands cleverly into various spaces and molds itself according to the area it is placed in. As such this foam will cover your cracks and crevices to ensure adequate fool-proof isolation. It is also a great tool for sealing up any kind of air pockets. But along with this, a huge advantage of using spray foam is that it doesn’t hold water. 

As such this is hugely advantageous for creating a growing environment. Not to mention that if you use this form, you don’t need to think about any air moisture that might get trapped deep in the walls and over time result in nasty issues like bacteria rotting or mold. However, before you opt for this method know that spray foam is costly. The price increases if you are going for high-quality foams. 

Now, you can save up money for it but even then you need to carry out a serious upfront payment as well. But thankfully, other alternatives will reduce the cost somewhat. One such alternative is soy-based foams that work as well. 

3. Go for fiberglass

Spray foam is pretty expensive, but there are other options that you can go for. One such inexpensive option is fiberglass. Since fiberglass is created out of multiple recycled good quality glass threads so it has s fluffy texture which often gets referred to as cotton candy. Many people make use of fiberglass in their homes since it is cheap and also provides great insulation. 

Not to mention that, apart from being affordable, it is also easy to put up and readily found in ordinary hardware stores as well. However, there is one downside of this material and that is the fact it doesn’t offer a full 100% tight air seal. As such you will be losing about 30% and perhaps even more of your internal heat. Along with this issue, fiberglass also annoyingly holds and absorbs moisture as well. 

You need to keep the moisture factor in mind since there are plants that need less moisture and there are also plants that need more. So you need to keep in mind the moisture and humidity needs of your plant before choosing fiberglass. Also, do consider that fiberglass can cause bacteria and mold issues over time due to its ability to hold moisture. But even with these issues, fiberglass is a great option if you are looking for a cheap solution. 

4. Select the room with the best possible insulation

Before selecting the room you want to keep your plants in, you need to keep in mind the natural sort of insulation offered by it. Know that if you already opt for a nicely insulated room, then you will be saving yourself a lot of time, effort, and money. 

If you can’t figure out which room to go for then let us give you a tip- if possible, go for the basement. After all, basements have great insulation, and since there are no windows so they can grow well. Not to mention that there’s a lot of space where your plant can comfortably grow. 

If you don’t have a basement, which is a common case with apartment dwellers, then you need to consider a tent or perhaps the garage. Both these places provide good insulation. Note that you can grow in your attic as well, but it’s not a great idea to grow there since it doesn’t have the greatest insulation and it isn’t easy to reach as well. 

Just think about how hard it will be to carry all the equipment and plants there. However, note that apart from insulation, you also need to think about ventilation and other such options too. 

5. Use PVC panels for walls

PVC panels are an option that has cropped up in recent years. These panels are used by people who need insulation for their plants because they offer almost zero moisture lock. So no matter the humidity, with these PVC panels you don’t have to worry about wood rot or bacterial diseases. If you can maintain these well then such panels will last you for years. 

Another advantage of using PVC panels is that they are naturally very reflective. This is because the white surface of the panel helps immensely in intensifying the grow lights. Note that if you are using LEDs then the reflection will be multiplied a lot. You will also notice that you are getting more straight out of the grow lights with the PVC panels being placed all around the grow space. 

Of course, PVC panels are more closely associated with professional growing settings. But with a little research, you can use it indoors as well. 

It’s easy to properly insulate your plant growing area. But first, you need to carry out full research into the plants you are growing as well as consider which indoor isolation option will be better for it. Not to mention that you need to keep in mind the cost as well. So after keeping these and more factors in mind, you need to choose. 

FAQs

What is the best way to insulate a grow room?

Using closed-cell spray foam is the best way to insulate a grow room. That’s because it helps to control the humidity and temperature so that you can grow healthier plants. Spray foam makes the grow room airtight which is perfect for plants to grow.

Can you use PVC panels to insulate a grow room?

PVC panels make a great choice for grow rooms as they are naturally reflective materials. It features a bright white surface that helps intensify grow lights. After installing PVC panels in your grow room, you can get more out of your grow lights.

What is the best alternative for spray foam for your grow room?

Since spray foam is very expensive many growers cannot afford it. In that case, you can rely on fiberglass. It is the best, affordable alternative you can go for.

Are PVC wall panels harmful?

PVC materials contain traces of chlorine which might be released into the air over time. Also, PVC is very toxic when burnt.

Why should you choose a room with great insulation for your plants?

By selecting a room with great insulation, you can save a lot of money, time, and effort. Also, a naturally insulated room is great for your plants. In this case, basements could be a good option as most basements have good insulation. Since basements don’t have a window, it will help your plants grow nicely. Plus, you will get a lot of space to comfortably grow your plants. If you don’t have a basement, then you should opt for your garage. Both these places provide good insulation. 

How cold indoor plants can tolerate?

Blooming indoor plants generally don’t tolerate cool temperatures. Most houseplants cannot handle temperatures below 10 degrees at all. Extreme cold conditions can cause damage to your plants. This is why insulating your grow room is so important. It helps you to maintain optimal temperature for your plants.

How to tell a plant is cold?

Look for yellow, white, or red marks near the veins in the leaves. This indicates spots of dead cells killed by frost. The cells in plants don’t get affected immediately. The areas that are affected by cold will turn into these colours. If the plant has been cold for too long, its leaves will die and eventually fall off.